diff --git a/scripts/init-vlsi.sh b/scripts/init-vlsi.sh
index ab947dd1..294f8628 100755
--- a/scripts/init-vlsi.sh
+++ b/scripts/init-vlsi.sh
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# exit script if any command fails 
+set -e
+set -o pipefail
+
+
+
 # Initialize HAMMER and CAD-plugins
 git submodule update --init --recursive vlsi/hammer
 git submodule update --init --recursive vlsi/hammer-cad-plugins